Putting together resume packets can be a strenuous and expensiveprocess for graduating students and internship seekers. TheUniversity of Memphis is trying to make this process easier withnew services the copy center is offering.
The Tiger Copy and Graphics center has more than just a newlocation in the Rawlins Service Court Building above the bookstore.In the last month, the center has acquired a new manager andseveral new services.
"We have combined the old printing services and copy centerstogether and upgraded the machines," said Penni Istre, the center'snew manager. "And we are working on some new services including adigital archive system that will store training manuals and otherthings that we can save and print out whenever we need them."
New services include the business employment packet, which iscomplete with resumes, business cards and envelopes. The copycenter now also offers personalized business cards, like fraternityand sorority cards featuring the crest and Greek letters of theparticular organization. There is also a new fax service withinternational capabilities.
Istre, a former Kinko's employee, said Tiger Copy and Graphicswill offer all the services other copy centers offer but at betterprices.
"I saw a lot of U of M students at Kinko's when I worked there,so I know what they need, and I know we can provide those servicesfor them here," Istre said.
Istre said one of the reasons she came to The U of M is thesmaller, family-like environment of The University compared to thecorporate feeling of Kinko's.
"I was looking for a more stable environment. I like the idea oftaking something new and growing it and making it profitable,"Istre said. "And I wanted to help empower the employees to takesome ownership in what they do. I wanted to bring what I learnedout there back here."
The center will hold an open house Friday 11:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m. to introduce students and faculty to its new location andshowcase its new services. Door prizes will be awarded, including aPalm Pilot "Zire" Handheld and two passes for a one-night getawayat the Hampton Inn on Poplar. Other door prizes will includecoupons, notepads, pens and U of M memorabilia.
Dining Services will provide sandwiches, chips and cookies, andCoca-Cola has donated drinks.
"During the open house, we will also have a book bindingmachine, also called perfect binding, that we are looking intobuying for students to see how it works," said Istre, who noted thecenter already offers coil, spiral and wire binding, as well asthermal (tape) binding.
Istre also said the center will soon offer wide format colorprinting for posters, vinyl banners, laminating and mounting.
Ann Rogers, who has worked at the copy center for eight yearsand at The U of M since the 1980s, said she enjoys working in thenew office.
"It's clean and refreshing," said Rogers. "It's much better thanthe old 2-by-4, which is what I called the old office. It'swonderful."
Rogers said even though she has had to work a little harder onher computer skills since the move, she enjoys her work at thecenter and likes the new management.
"And I love the students. They keep me young," Rogers said.
The center currently employs three full-time workers and threestudent workers in addition to Istre.
Students and faculty can place orders in person or via email, atTigerCopygraphics@memphis.edu. Tiger Copy and graphics can also bereached at 678-2838.
